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ELEMENTS OFFILM NOIR
FROM THE FRENCH, MEANING “BLACK FILM” OR “FILM OF THE NIGHT”
HUM 110: Introduction to American FilmJC Clapp, North Seattle College
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Historical Context
World War II, post-war disillusionment (1940s)
Soldiers returning home and women losing their jobs
Post-war realism – audiences wanted authenticity and “realistic”
Influence of German Expressionism
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Narrative and Themes
Crime/mystery/thriller/gangster genres “Hard-boiled” pulp fiction detective No happy endings Use of flashback and voice-over common Tight dialogue, witty banter, use of slang Violent (murder usually, and corruption) Sexual undertones, suggestive double
entendre, verbal sparring Moral ambiguity, fate Isolation of cities
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Mood and Feeling
Isolation Claustrophobic World feels off-balance (constant
juxtaposition of light/dark) Doom Fear Betrayal Hopelessness
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Style: Lighting
Traditionally shot on black and white film Harsh low-key lighting causes stark shadows and
silhouettes (the impact of German Expressionism) Rich, dark blacks with high contrast light – called
“chiaroscuro” Beams of light used as highlights or spotlights Heavy use of wide-angle lens with deep depth of field Light used to create vertical, horizontal, or angular
lines
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Style: Setting and Props Urban City: sprawling,
sordid, seductive, dense, alienating, corrupt, dirty
Dark rooms, night, neon lights
Rain-soaked streets with litter and steam coming from manhole covers
Lavish furnishings in cramped spaces
Back alleyways and back doors
Taxis, bars, apartment buildings
Men in suits and hats, women in dresses
Cigarettes/Smoking
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Style: Music
Saxophone solos Jazz influenced with piano or trumpet
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Character: Femme Fatale a woman: glamorous,
sexually available, dangerous, determined, beautiful, strong-willed, scheming, manipulative
Desires wealth/power Wears revealing or
provocative clothes with dark lipstick – has curls, high heels, gloves, fur coats
Smokes seductively She mixes cocktails,
lounges in dressing rooms, and floats around in charge
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Character: Conflicted Anti-Hero
single man, usually a detective or private investigator (former cop), psychologically flawed
tough, cynical, morally ambiguous, smug
tempted and seduced by the Femme Fatale
Clean shaven and in a suit and hat